Synthesis and Optical Properties of Forsterite

摘要

The report describes the growth of what are believed to be the first synthetic single crystals of appreciable size of forsterite, Mg2SiO4, and the measurement of optical absorption in these crystals. A limited number of measurements of electrical conductivity as a function of temperature were also made. It is shown that the pure magnesium orthosilicate is a very good insulator, and that the interesting optical properties observed in natural olivines are due to the presence of iron. (Author)